"GETTING TO KNOW THE MEN" 



" Where can I find Dr. Wilson ? " 



I had just entered the quadrangle of the Biological Schools 

 at Cambridge, when a door opened quickly, and a well-knit, 

 wiry individual ran down the steps towards me. 



" Which Dr. Wilson ? " said he. 



" Wilson of Antarctica," I replied. 



With a quizzical smile that I was soon to know well, he 

 returned, " 1 am Dr. Wilson." 



It was in this way that I made the acquaintance of the 

 Scientific Director of the expedition ; and in the ensuing con- 

 versation at Christ's College I learnt the requirements of 

 Captain Scott. But the steps leading to this Sunday interview 

 were rather amusing to look back on. 



On a Saturday afternoon of December, 1909, I had been 

 having tea with Wright of Caius, and we discussed many 

 topics, such as cancer and Canada, eugenics and Shackleton. 

 He remarked that he would like to go with Scott next August, 

 and that he would go if I would ! However, we did not 

 discuss this topic, for I left to dress for the Philosophical 

 Society's Dinner at John's. In the old Combination room 

 were most of the scientific dons, and Dr. Marr beckoned to me. 



" I wanted to see you. Would you like to go with Scott 

 to the Antarctic as English geologist ? " He was pleased to 

 say that my glacial work and travels suited me for the post. 

 I said I had not thought of it at all. He added that Dr. 

 Wilson would probably call on me on Sunday, to which I 

 replied that I had intended to be off to the Alps at 9.30 ! 



I departed, only to fall into Professor Seward's hands. 

 He asked the same question ; and Hutchinson of Pembroke 

 came up a moment later and said, " Don't you think Taylor 

 ought to go to the Antarctic ? " I suggested that I felt as if 

 I were being pushed out into the cold ! 



b 2 



